Chapter 1: The Medium Dilemma

My initial reaction was one of disbelief when I noticed the fifth profile in a short span that hadn’t shared any articles since last September. This led me to ponder a pressing question: why are there so many inactive Medium accounts collecting virtual dust?

The stark reality is that a significant number of these profiles are remnants of inflated expectations and a misunderstanding of what it takes to thrive on this platform. As someone who is still relatively new to this space, I find this situation both disheartening and somewhat reassuring.

This is encouraging because the commitment required to succeed on Medium effectively filters out those who are merely looking to churn out simplistic "How I changed my life in 10 easy steps" articles, hoping for an avalanche of followers and revenue. Those of us serious about writing can easily see through this superficial approach.

However, it’s also frustrating to witness the influx of these so-called gold-rush seekers. Their presence often overshadows the unique contributions from writers who are genuinely trying to create something original. I, for one, grow weary of encountering the same recycled ideas and painfully cliché titles, such as “5 steps to a successful life” or “how much I earned in a few months,” which are echoed in countless other articles.

GIF courtesy of tenor.com

I understand why these topics are popular; they resonate with many. Yet, as Tim Denning pointed out, much of the writing in the self-help genre lacks depth and originality, more so than in other areas. We can delve deeper into this topic at another time—stay tuned.

What does this signify? For every Medium writer earning a reasonable monthly income from their work, there are ten who attempted and failed after just a month. But don’t lose hope, fellow Medium writers—there's plenty of space for high-quality content. The key is that it must genuinely be high-quality.

To join the ranks of the 1 in 10 who earn even a modest income solely from Medium, we cannot rely on regurgitated content. It’s not enough to produce trendy articles that lack personal significance; you cannot succeed by writing pieces that have as much vitality and originality as a flat board.

Moreover, you won't thrive if you pin all your aspirations on achieving fame and fortune in mere months. There is a pathway for those willing to be persistent, diligent, eager to learn, open to setbacks, and attentive to their audience.

To avoid joining the ranks of those who gave up too early, adopt this essential mindset: commit to the long haul. Prepare yourself for the journey ahead.

Chapter 2: The Importance of Long-Term Thinking

In this video, Dorie Clark discusses the value of long-term thinking, offering insights on how to cultivate a mindset that prioritizes enduring success over quick wins.

Chapter 3: The Danger of Cliché Content

This video dives into the idea of whether "Mad Max" is an underrated film, featuring a lively discussion that connects to the themes of originality and creativity in content creation.